Yes! We're seeing more groups move toward using this option, especially when they have a higher entry fee ($20+).
When Awarding Votes for Your Entry Fee:
A donation is always required to enter.
If your entry fee is $20, every entrant must donate $20 to participate. Awarding votes does not replace this requirement- it simply adds value to the entry fee.
You can award any number of votes.
You don’t have to match the entry fee. For example, with a $25 entry fee, you could award 5 votes, 10 votes, or the full 25 votes.
Things to Consider:
This adds value to your entry fee and shifts the mindset from “paying to enter” to “starting with votes", which can make your supporters feel like they're already in the competition.
It could give participants extra motivation to promote their entry right away to gain votes from family and friends.
There isn’t a single “right” approach:
Think about your average supporter, and how they might respond to your entry fee.
Additional Benefit to Awarding Votes for an Entry Fee:
It allows you to adjust your entry fee mid-contest while keeping things fair for all entrants.
For example, one group started with a $25 entry fee that included 25 votes. When participation was lower than expected, they reduced the fee to $15 (including 15 votes) to encourage more entries.
Because they maintained a $1 = 1 vote structure, the value stayed fair for all participants while making it easier for new entrants to join.
How Does it Look?
And the final screen before entry:
Important:
We provide the platform for donate-to-vote fundraising, but it's up to you to know and abide the laws and regulations concerning running a donate-to-vote fundraiser in your state or province. We cannot provide any legal counsel, guidance, or advice in this area.